Foundation The Sciences
Mae disgrifiad y cymhwyster yn Saesneg yn unig, gan ei fod wedi ei gymryd o fanyleb Saesneg CBAC.
Foundation The Sciences is an Entry Level and Level 1 qualification for learners in Years 10 and 11 who need a practical, accessible science course, with energy, materials, cells, the environment and health taught through scientific enquiry. It names almost no digital tools. Its digital work sits in the data behind enquiry: recording results in tables and charts, turning tables into graphs, spotting patterns and doing simple calculations in the Unit 2 enquiry tasks and the Unit 3 health tasks, plus finding secondary information on websites and judging whether it looks valid. Unit 1 topic tests can be taken on screen. The biggest thing Key Stage 3 can build is confident use of a spreadsheet to record a results table and turn it into a clear chart.
- Corff dyfarnu
- CBAC
- Lefel
- Entry Level and Level 1
- Addysgu gyntaf
- Medi 2027
- Faint o waith digidol
- Isel
- Manyleb
- Agor y fanyleb
Sut mae'r cymhwyster hwn yn cael ei asesu
- Unit 1: Science in Everyday Life: Two topic tests of 30 minutes each, 30%, 60 marks (2 × 30), set and marked by WJEC; tiered (Foundation tier Entry 1 to Entry 3, Higher tier Entry 3 to Level 1); centres choose on-screen or paper tests within a four-week window
- Unit 2: Caring for the Planet: Non-examination assessment, four enquiry tasks of 30 minutes each plus up to one additional hour per task for data collection or data presentation, 40%, 60 marks (4 × 15); centres choose one WJEC set task for each of the four contexts; marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
- Unit 3: Me and My Health: Non-examination assessment, two tasks with up to 20 hours in total, 30%, 60 marks; set by WJEC, centres can tailor the practical elements; marked by the centre and moderated by WJEC
Y sgiliau digidol yn y cymhwyster hwn
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Recording practical results in tables and charts
In the Unit 2 enquiry tasks learners make observations or measurements and record their results clearly in tables, tally charts and simple charts such as bar charts. Each task allows up to an extra hour for data collection or data presentation, so a spreadsheet is a sensible way to record and present results, although no tool is named.
DCF: Llythrennedd gwybodaeth a data, Creu cynnwys digidol
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils type the results of a dissolving experiment into a ready-made spreadsheet table with headings and units, then make a bar chart from it.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils set up their own spreadsheet table for a pulse rate investigation, choosing column headings and units, and add a tally of results from the class.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils design a spreadsheet to record repeat readings from a heat loss experiment, then choose and format the best chart to present the results for a display.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 2, Using primary data, page 18; Section 3.2, Unit 2 overview, page 27
“record results clearly, including tables, tally charts, simple charts”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu creu, mireinio a dadansoddi setiau data mewn tablau, siartiau, taenlenni a chronfeydd data i brofi neu gefnogi ymchwiliad.
Rwy'n gallu defnyddio ystod o feddalwedd i ddewis, cynhyrchu a golygu ystod o gydrannau aml-gyfrwng at ddiben penodol, megis:
- testun a delweddau, e.e. fformatio testun (print trwm, tanlinellu, italig, uwcholeuo); gosod a golygu blychau testun; colofnau; defnyddio offer mireinio (gwirydd sillafu, chwilio a disodli); lapio geiriau; tocio; newid maint a siâp; newid delweddau; ychwanegu effeithiau; byrhau a hollti clipiau sain a fideo; rhoi effeithiau ar ddiwedd sleidiau; defnyddio techneg ‘croen winwnsyn’
- cyflwyniad, e.e. cyfeiriad y dudalen; animeiddio; rhoi effeithiau ar ddiwedd sleidiau; dileu ac addasu delweddau; defnyddio cefndir; defnyddio botymau gweithredu i greu hyperddolen; ymgorffori gwrthrychau.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu creu ffurflen casglu data, casglu data, chwilio data a chreu cronfa ddata a thaenlen gan ddefnyddio dull mewnbynnu data priodol.
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Turning data into graphs and doing simple calculations
Learners look at results, identify simple patterns, do simple maths to help understand the data and change data from a table to a graph or chart. Appendix C adds finding arithmetic means and plotting two variables from experimental data, which suit spreadsheet formulae and charts. These skills are assessed in the Unit 2 and Unit 3 tasks and in the Unit 1 topic tests.
DCF: Llythrennedd gwybodaeth a data
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils enter the heights of bean seedlings into a spreadsheet, use the AVERAGE formula to find the mean for each group and make a bar chart.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils plot a line graph of temperature against time for cooling water in a spreadsheet, and use MAX and MIN to find the temperature drop.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils use a spreadsheet to calculate means of three repeats, plot one variable against another as a scatter graph, and write one sentence on the pattern it shows.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 2, Analyse data, page 18; Appendix C, page 42; Section 3.2, Unit 1 overview, page 26
“change data from one form to another, including from a table to a graph or chart”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu creu, mireinio a dadansoddi setiau data mewn tablau, siartiau, taenlenni a chronfeydd data i brofi neu gefnogi ymchwiliad.
Rwy'n gallu defnyddio ystod o fformiwlâu taenlenni, e.e. + - / x, swm, cyfartaledd, uchafswm, lleiafswm.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu dadansoddi setiau data syml gan gynnwys grwpio data fel sy’n briodol.
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Finding secondary information online and checking it
Learners find scientific information from a book, website, worksheet or video, pick out key facts or data and present them simply in lists, tables or graphs. They begin to evaluate secondary data by noticing if the information looks valid or if something does not fit. This is one of the Unit 2 enquiry skills.
DCF: Cyrchu, chwilio a chynllunio cynnwys digidol
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils search a teacher-chosen website for three facts about how much household waste goes to landfill in Wales and note the web address for each fact.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils refine their search words to find recycling rates for their local council and another council, put the figures in a table and say which source they trust more.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils find data on water use from two websites, compare the figures, spot one that does not fit and explain whether each source is reliable, with a simple reference list.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 2, Using secondary data, page 18
“find scientific information from a book, website, worksheet or video”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu addasu geiriau allweddol a thechnegau chwilio er mwyn dod o hyd i wybodaeth berthnasol.
Rwy'n gallu dechrau cyfeirnodi ffynonellau a ddefnyddir yn fy ngwaith, ac ystyried a yw’r cynnwys yn ddibynadwy.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu chwilio amrywiaeth o ffynonellau gan ddefnyddio technegau chwilio perthnasol a mwy cymhleth.
Rwy'n gallu gwerthuso dibynadwyedd ffynonellau gwybodaeth gan gyfiawnhau fy marn a’m rhesymau dros ddewisiadau, a chyfeirnodi gwaith gan ddefnyddio dulliau priodol.
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Judging health claims in the media and online
In Unit 3 learners consider the scientific evidence for using vaccinations to reduce serious disease, and must be aware that vaccine safety is often discussed in the media and that some reports are not scientifically accurate. They also study public health messages such as catch it, bin it, kill it. This calls for thinking critically about information shared online.
DCF: Hunaniaeth, delwedd ac enw da, Cyrchu, chwilio a chynllunio cynnwys digidol, Iechyd a lles
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils look at two online adverts for health drinks and pick out which claims give evidence and which do not.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils compare an NHS Wales web page on hand washing with a social media post about germs and list three checks that show which one is reliable.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils read two online articles about a vaccine, one from a health service and one from a blog, and explain which claims are backed by scientific evidence and which are not.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 3, Section 3.2.3, page 23
“the safety of vaccinations is often discussed in the media”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu meddwl yn feirniadol am wybodaeth a gaiff ei rhoi ar-lein, e.e. effaith rhannu delweddau a fideos, metadata o ddelweddau a fideos.
Rwy'n gallu dechrau cyfeirnodi ffynonellau a ddefnyddir yn fy ngwaith, ac ystyried a yw’r cynnwys yn ddibynadwy.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu gwerthuso dibynadwyedd ffynonellau gwybodaeth gan gyfiawnhau fy marn a’m rhesymau dros ddewisiadau, a chyfeirnodi gwaith gan ddefnyddio dulliau priodol.
Rwy'n gallu myfyrio ar rôl y cyfryngau digidol yn fy mywyd a’m harferion.
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Analysing health data such as BMI and reaction times
Unit 3 asks learners to use BMI data to assess obesity levels, investigate their own reaction times and heart rate recovery, and analyse data on the effect of caffeine and alcohol on reaction times. Collecting class results in a spreadsheet and sorting or graphing them is a natural way to do this in the Unit 3 tasks.
DCF: Llythrennedd gwybodaeth a data
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils use an online reaction timer five times each, enter their scores in a shared spreadsheet and find their own fastest and mean time.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils sort a class spreadsheet of resting and after-exercise pulse rates and make a chart comparing the two.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils use a spreadsheet of anonymised BMI values for a sample population, group them into the healthy weight ranges with a formula and chart how many fall in each range.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 3, Sections 3.1.3, 3.2.1 and 3.2.2, pages 21 to 22
“analyse data on the effect of caffeine and alcohol on”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu creu, mireinio a dadansoddi setiau data mewn tablau, siartiau, taenlenni a chronfeydd data i brofi neu gefnogi ymchwiliad.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu dadansoddi setiau data syml gan gynnwys grwpio data fel sy’n briodol.
Rwy'n gallu dadansoddi setiau data mawr a nodi tueddiadau lle bo hynny’n briodol.
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Modelling energy transfers and payback times
In Unit 1 learners interpret and complete Sankey diagrams of given data and suggest insulation methods for homes, linking them to payback times. Working out wasted energy and how many years a measure takes to pay for itself suits a simple spreadsheet model, and this content is tested in the Unit 1 topic tests.
DCF: Llythrennedd gwybodaeth a data, Datrys problemau a modelu
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils use a spreadsheet that subtracts useful energy from input energy to find the wasted energy for three light bulbs.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils build a spreadsheet that divides the cost of loft insulation by the yearly saving to give the payback time, and test it with different prices.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils make a spreadsheet model comparing payback times for four insulation methods, chart the results and recommend one for a house.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 1, Section 1.1.1, page 12
“interpret and complete Sankey diagrams of given data”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu defnyddio ystod o fformiwlâu taenlenni, e.e. + - / x, swm, cyfartaledd, uchafswm, lleiafswm.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu creu model syml neu algorithm annibynnol.
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Measuring pollution and sampling wildlife with digital instruments
Unit 2 enquiries include practical activities such as gas tests, biological indicators or sound measurements, and ecological sampling to estimate biodiversity. Appendix B notes that noise mapping can be used to estimate noise pollution from road and rail sources. Sound level meters, data loggers or tablet apps are one way to gather this data, though the specification does not require them.
DCF: Llythrennedd gwybodaeth a data
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils use a sound meter app on a school tablet to measure noise in three places around the school and record the readings in a table.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils count plants in quadrats on the school field, enter the counts in a shared spreadsheet and compare the mean for a trampled and an untrampled area.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils log sound levels at set times beside a road and a quiet area, store them in a spreadsheet and present a chart that shows when noise pollution is highest.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Unit 2, Overview of unit, page 16; Appendix B, Sections 2.3.3 and 2.4.1, pages 39 and 40
“practical activities such as gas tests, biological indicators or sound measurements”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu creu, mireinio a dadansoddi setiau data mewn tablau, siartiau, taenlenni a chronfeydd data i brofi neu gefnogi ymchwiliad.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu creu ffurflen casglu data, casglu data, chwilio data a chreu cronfa ddata a thaenlen gan ddefnyddio dull mewnbynnu data priodol.
Rwy'n gallu dadansoddi setiau data syml gan gynnwys grwpio data fel sy’n briodol.
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Learning from scientists on screen and working with others
The qualification gives opportunities for learners to engage with the work of diverse scientists in person, on screen or remotely, to visit areas of scientific interest in person or digitally, to research careers that draw on science, and to develop collaboration skills. These learning experiences are not directly assessed.
DCF: Cyfathrebu, Cydweithredu
Paratoi disgyblion
- Blwyddyn 7
- Pupils watch a short recorded talk by a scientist working in Wales and post one question each to a class online board.
- Blwyddyn 8
- Pupils join a live video call with an NHS worker, ask prepared questions and share their notes in a shared class document.
- Blwyddyn 9
- Pupils work in groups on a shared online slide deck about a science career, after taking a virtual tour of a science facility, and set edit permissions for each member.
Dangos geiriad y fanyleb a datganiadau'r FCD
Ble mae yn y fanyleb: Opportunities for integration of learning experiences, page 24
“either in person or on-screen and/or remotely”
Cam cynnydd 3
Rwy'n gallu dangos dealltwriaeth o fanteision ac anfanteision gwahanol ffurfiau ar gyfathrebu ar-lein a phryd y mae'n briodol eu defnyddio, e.e. esbonio pryd y gallai cynadledda fideo fod yn fwy priodol nag e-bost, ac fel arall; esbonio manteision ac anfanteision defnyddio negeseuon sydyn mewn cyd-destunau cymdeithasol; siarad am ddiben a chynulleidfa.
Rwy'n gallu cydweithio i greu prosiect ar-lein ar y cyd at ddiben penodol, gan rannu a gosod caniatâd mewn ffordd briodol ar gyfer aelodau eraill y grŵp, e.e. golygu, rhoi sylwadau, gweld.
Cam cynnydd 4
Rwy'n gallu dewis a defnyddio gwahanol ddulliau cyfathrebu ar-lein at ddibenion penodol, a hynny gyda lefel uwch o fedrusrwydd, e.e. creu a rheoli llyfr cyfeiriadau, trefnu cysylltiadau, defnyddio nodweddion uwch y darparwr e-bost (llofnod, ateb awtomatig, derbynneb darllen, wijets).
Da gwybod
- Unit 1 topic tests can be taken on screen or on paper: "Centres can select from digital and paper formats within a four-week assessment window." (Summary of assessment, page 5). Separate entry codes exist for the on screen and paper tests at each tier (Section 5.1, page 31).
- Unit 2 and Unit 3 tasks come through the WJEC Portal: the enquiry tasks "will be issued to centres in assessment packs for each topic via the WJEC Portal" (Section 3.2, page 27).
- Each Unit 2 task has extra time for data work: learners "may have up to an additional one hour for any data collection or data presentation linked to the task(s)" (Section 3.2, page 27).
- No digital tools or software are required anywhere in the specification; data handling is described in terms of "tables, tally charts, simple charts" (Unit 2, page 18), so paper or spreadsheet are both open to centres.
- The specification does not mention artificial intelligence. NEA follows "JCQ's Instructions for Conducting Non-Examination Assessments (Vocational and Technical Qualifications)" and teachers "must not provide feedback on the evidence being produced" (Section 3.3, page 28).
- Appendix A ticks all four Digital Competence strands (Citizenship, Interacting and Collaborating, Producing, and Data and Computational Thinking) for all three units (page 35) but does not say where in the content they occur.
Cysylltiadau â chymwysterau eraill
Foundation The Sciences leads towards GCSE The Sciences (Double Award) and GCSE Integrated Science (Single Award), which build on the same scientific enquiry skills of recording, graphing and evaluating primary and secondary data, then add data logging, gradients and fuller evaluation of accuracy. The waste, pollution and biodiversity enquiries overlap with Geography fieldwork, the BMI, diet and exercise work links with Physical Education and Health, and the Appendix C data skills support Foundation Mathematics and Numeracy.
Ffynhonnell: WJEC Entry Level/Level 1 Foundation The Sciences specification, approved by Qualifications Wales, teaching from September 2027, for award from 2029 (© WJEC CBAC Ltd 2026).